Have You Failed God?
Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us then come with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16, MEV)
I think all of us at times feel that we have miserably failed God. We feel condemned over mistakes in the past—times when we’ve failed to follow God’s guidance or when our emotions got the best of us or when we have given way to carnal instincts.
When you look at the great heroes of faith in the Bible, they were all humans who failed, who God lifted up out of the dunghill for His purpose. Abraham, Moses, Peter, and Paul all sinned and fell short of the glory of God, just like you and me. It’s God’s grace that lifted them up and enabled them to be used mightily.
In the above scripture, we see that our great High Priest, Jesus, can sympathize with our weakness, because He was tempted just like we are, yet without sin. He experienced every temptation that goes along with being human, because He was a man. It is for this reason that we can come before the throne of grace with confidence and boldness to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
When He’s talking about coming before the throne of grace, he’s talking about coming to God in prayer for your needs. The help you need from the Lord comes when you approach the throne of grace. That’s where your High Priest is, pleading your case before God the Father.
So, I picture Jesus operating as my High Priest and saying, “Father, here comes Tom again. He needs help. I died for Tom. My blood was shed for Tom. I paid the price for Tom, so he could obtain mercy. Have mercy on Tom and give him grace to help in this time of need.”
So you see, even though I’ve missed the mark and failed, God accounts me as righteous because of what Jesus did, and I obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
God is a God of mercy, and Jesus’ death on the cross is the means for that mercy. Jesus died for our offences and was raised from the dead for our justification. We all need to remember that we cannot approach God in our own righteousness, but through the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Bible is not a story about perfect people, but it’s about a glorious God who forgives, heals, and restores. So don’t be a slave to your past. Rise up and walk in your redemption. Believe in what Jesus did for you. If you’ve missed it, repent, and God will forgive you, restore you, and use your life for His glory.
I want to encourage you. Leave the past behind. Ask the Lord to restore the joy of your salvation. Give yourself permission to breathe, sing a new song, and begin to live the abundant life that Jesus purchased for you at Calvary, in Jesus’ name.
Thank God for His mercy! Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give.” Let’s all receive God’s mercy and keep sharing it where we live and all around the world.
Pray a prayer like this from your heart:
Dear Father, I believe in Jesus. I believe He died for me and rose again. I believe His blood was shed for me. I believe Jesus is my great High Priest, who makes intercession for me. I turn from sin and turn to you, and I confess Jesus is my Lord. Thank you for clearing me of all guilt and condemnation and setting me free to worship and serve you. Thank you for hearing my petitions and answering my prayers, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Now bring your specific petition before your Father, knowing that He hears you and you have the requests that you have asked from Him.
God bless you!
How to Find Help in Time of Need [Video & Audio]